1. Healthier Immune System In General

Living on a farm will result in a healthier immune system. How? Well, according to this study, growing up on a farm helps reduce the body’s immunological responses to food proteins. In layman’s term, it means those who grow up on a farm have reduced likelihood of developing an allergic disease.

The study explains that when you live on a farm, you develop more regulatory T-lymphocytes. These are cells that pacify immune responses and limit inflammation. Allergies, inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases develop when these cells are reduced.

2. Specifically, Less Likely to Get Asthma and Allergies

There are about 6.8 million children in the US who suffer from asthma. Of these, children raised on farms, specifically dairy farms, have lower rates of asthma and allergies. According to a recent study, this could be due to farm dust, which triggered an immune system response from the lungs of mice that protected them from allergies and asthma. (Read more about the study here.)

A separate study also found that exposure to farm environments may prevent (or dampen) allergies and asthma, even in adults.

3. Better Mental Health

In another study, Norwegian researchers had one group of participants with problems like anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and personality disorders work with animals on a farm; the other group didn’t have any such interactions. The study found that those who had an interaction with farm animals had improved self-efficacy and coping skills compared to those who had not spent any time working with animals. The researchers believe this improvement in mental health may be due to having physical contact with another living being through activities like milking, feeding, and caring for farm animals (which may promote self-esteem and confidence).

4. Farm Work is Great for Physical Fitness

Working on a farm will help you burn calories and develop those muscles. For example, for a 150-pound person, bailing hay for 30 minutes burns 277 calories and butchering a pig burns 170 calories, according to the March issue of Food & Wine.

5. Fresh Produce Equals More Nutrients

You know what they say, the nearer you get your food from its source, the better and more nutritious it is. Well, if you live on a farm, you can get your food fresh. A registered dietitian explains why here.

6. Early to Bed, Early to Rise

When you live on a farm, you follow a routine. The schedule starts early and ends early as well. You’d need plenty of sleep to replenish the energy you lost during the day’s work. This early to bed, early to rise routine is more in tune with our natural Circadian rhythm.

8. Fresher Air

If you live on a farm, you breathe fresher, cleaner air. This is due to having more plants absorb carbon dioxide. The open air of the countryside also helps relieve stress, quickens recovery of disease, and provides incentive to lose weight through outdoor exercise.

Does living on a farm sound appealing to you now? Which health benefit appeals to you the most and why?

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Juvy is a freelance proofreader, copy editor and writer. A nice little nook with a good book would be ideal. But concocting plans for her next drawing or DIY project will suffice while she's still busy babysitting two daughters. Follow her on Twitter or connect with her on Google+.